Danny Amendola: ‘I’m healthy and ready to play’

FOXBORO — Danny Amendola says he remembers everything from the late afternoon of Oct. 13 when he was drilled in the helmet by Rafael Bush of the Saints, suffering the second significant concussion of his NFL career.

The Patriots wide receiver missed last week’s game in New York against the Jets but had a declaration of sorts on Friday after practice.

“I’ve had a good week and I’m ready to go,” Amendola said after his third straight practice. “Feeling good and ready to go.”

What told him this week that he’s ready to play?

“Ready or not, I guess,” Amendola said. “The game’s coming. I feel as good as I can. Not really worried about the past, just worried about the future and excited and looking forward to Sunday.”

His first year with the Patriots has been a frustrating one, suffering a groin injury in preseason, aggravating it in the season opener, missing three games and then getting a concussion in the sixth week.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” he said. “They’ve got protocols with a bunch of head injuries. You just have to follow along. You might feel good and feel ready to go but the doctors might not let you go. I feel good now and I’m ready to go.

“I’ve done pretty much everything they’ve asked me to do and I’m healthy and ready to play.”

As for practice this week in preparation for the Dolphins, Amendola says he’s been able to handle everything.

The receiver has seen replays of the hit and him staggering off the field afterward. But he insisted Friday it’s not going to change the way he plays.

“I felt fine after the game. I had no symptoms and I felt normal,” he said. “It was just one of those things. I just listen to the doctors and go from there.

“Yeah, I’ve seen it. It’s just one of those things. I’ll be fine. It’s not going to scare me to play the way I play. I still have a job to do and I’m going to do it.”

Amendola is confident that his past concussion earlier in his career had no direct impact on this head injury.

“I’ve had one concussion in the NFL prior to this,” Amendola said. “It was a long time ago so there’s no aftermath of it. I don’t feel any symptoms or anything. I feel really good.

“I don’t think about it to be honest with you. If it happens, it happens really. I don’t look to go looking to run into things and get concussions. It’s a rough game and that’s why everyone loves to play it and watch it. But I feel good now and that’s all that matters to me. I think they put a warning on the back of the helmet that says you’re at risk. Play at your own [risk]. Well-instructed.

“Physical, mental, I’m sure it’s the same thing if you get into a car accident. It’s all independent doctors. The NFL does a great job of helping guys out with that sort of thing. It’s been a big deal in the past three years so you just have to go through the motions and listen to what they’re telling you.”